Friday, July 9, 2021

KELE UPKARI (RAW BANANA STIR FRY)

 KELE UPKARI (RAW BANANA STIR FRY) 

In my house, I make it a point to make dishes using raw/green bananas from time to time. They can be used in a variety of dishes and also have numerous health benefits.

Today's recipe is for a simple yet tasty side dish called "Kele Upkari" in my mother tongue, Konkani.  Green Bananas are called Vazhakkai in Tamil, Baalekayi in Kannada, and "Kachcha Kela" in Hindi. 
"Upkari" is nothing but a stir fry in Konkani. 

Elsewhere in this blog, you will find recipes using green/raw bananas such as :-
For Kele Upkari, more commonly we do a seasoning of mustard seeds, red chillies, asafoetida and curry leaves.

Sometimes, for a change, I prefer to use garlic cloves for seasoning as it gives, I feel, a better flavour to the dish. This is a matter of individual taste. 





Ingredients:-




  • Raw/Green Bananas, 3 or about 500 gms
  • Red Chillies, 3-4, broken into pieces
  • Garlic Cloves, 8-10
  • Coconut Oil, 2 tbsp
  • Salt, to taste
  • Coconut Gratings, 2 tbsp, for garnish
Method:-

Wash the raw bananas, snip off both the ends, peel and cut them into cubes
Immerse these cubes in water to avoid discoloration
Lightly crush the unpeeled garlic cloves 

Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan and on medium heat add the lightly crushed garlic cloves
Saute till they turn golden and give off a good aroma
Next, add the broken red chillies and sauté for a few seconds

To this, add the cubed bananas (after draining away the water) and salt to taste
Saute till the raw bananas get well blended with the seasoning
Cover and cook on medium/low flame, without adding any water, stirring from time to time till the raw bananas get done
Remember that raw bananas get cooked very fast
If you want the Kele Upkari to be more crisp you can roast for longer time adding more oil

Switch off the gas and transfer to serving bowl 
Finally garnish the Kele Upkari with coconut gratings
Serve hot as a side dish with the main meal of rice and rasam 



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